*THIS SATURDAY: Hot Country Nights starting with line dancing lessons for all ages with Lockeford’s Pat Mitchell at 7 p.m. The Buck Ford Pure Country Band will follow at 9 p.m. At that time, only those 21 and older are permitted inside the bar. Free admission

Not with a single woman, but a series of wooden ones – ladies that shunned white dresses and high heels for fresh frets and perfectly aligned tremolo bars.

They talked to him. In an odd twist of fate, he pushed them to whine and cry and deliver the hard-pitched sounds that only somebody with the knowledge and the touch can constantly deliver.

Greathouse loves guitars. And on Friday night he and the rest of The Greathouse Band will deliver its style of high-powered classic rock and blues at Rookie’s for all of those that care to watch true journeyman musicians ply their craft.

The venue – which recently added a top-of-the-line PA and sound system in an attempt to lure quality musicians to the show – is a place that Greathouse says he’s looking forward to rocking.

“They offer something that nobody else offers, which is the ability to come with our equipment, plug-in and play,” Greathouse said. “They have sound people there, which make it so much easier for the band. Last year we played a gig outdoors and it took us four-hours to set-up and we played for four-hours.

“It’s supposed to be pretty incredible. And we’ve heard that there could be as many as 150 people there, so we’re looking forward to the experience.”

Comprised of members that played in a handful of local groups, The Greathouse Band – with Trisha Vargas at lead vocals, Ricardo Quilantang on keyboard, Randy Anderson on bass, Paul Rodrigues on rhythm guitar and Mike Codinack on drums – focuses on a style of classic rock and R&B that keeps the crowd dancing.

And they’ve got some famous chops.

Greathouse has opened for Starship and members of the Doobie Brothers while Codinack has had stints playing with Sly & The Family Stone, Elvin Bishop and Motown’s “Martha and the Vandellas.” And Quilantang brings a completely different style of keyboard play to the band with his extensive R&B background – opening for Tower of Power, Malo, Tito Puente, Confunkshun, The Gap Band, The Stylistics and The Spinners.

With Vargas on vocals – the “best lead singer in the valley” according to Greathouse – and Rodrigues offering up some worship-influenced rhythm guitar, the band rounds out with longtime bass player and Modesto native Randy Anderson to bring the full sound that could soon be tearing up clubs throughout Northern California.

According to Greathouse, the recent procurement of a booking agent should help propel the band forward and open up dates at Bay Area locations that they have to yet to play – something that he feels the 2-and-a-half year-old group can handle.

With the group of musicians on hand, he says, it’s only a matter of time before the people recognize the magic that he sees every time they play together.

“All of our different styles come together in collaboration – there’s the classic rock and the R&B and that Santana style,” he said. “It just forms this magic and a sound that unfolds and is evident as you’re playing. I think that this is a band that’s going somewhere, and we’re going to have fun along the way.”

The show at Rookie’s – located at 1355 E. Yosemite Ave. – will be on Friday, March 1 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission is free.